Selfridges Rocks their Christmas Window!

The World Travel Market trade show and conference held in London every year always falls on the week in November when stores reveal their Christmas displays, and the Oxford Street lights get switched on. This year was no different and on my free evening I went along to see it. Personally, I’m not a fan of the rather commercial looking Oxford Street lights this year, other than the glitter balls it’s barely festive. What I loved though, was the Selfridges Christmas windows – Selfridges Rocks Christmas.

Having seen Newcastle’s very own Fenwick’s window at the weekend, I can honestly say these two Christmas window displays couldn’t be further apart in terms of audience, style and experience. Fenwick’s window is all about tradition, and family and there are next to no products displayed at all. Selfridges is dripping with products, but they’re all fabulous and displayed against a Christmas colour backdrop.

The theme is Rock n Roll, obviously considering it’s name of ‘Selfridges Rocks Christmas’. You’ll find Santa looking a lot less traditional, skinny for a start, but dressed up in all manner of rock star outfits, some styled back to the 70’s and 80’s.

He’s posing in all sorts of acrobatic rock star position, living up to the rock n roll theme, adorned in sequins, sparkles, leather and studs. It’s the framing of Santa that gives it the festive feel, and it’s so cleverly done. Bright red metallic streamers, glittering silver and gold disco balls, green sparkles, the backgrounds are definitely reminiscent of all the Christmas tree decorations you’ll have up in your houses this year.

Among the windows of Santa rocking out, are more installation scene setting windows. As amazing as rock star santa is these were my favourites despite being so laden with products, fashion items, clothes and shoes.

One scene looks like a rock stars wardrobe…

Followed by the dressing room…

Another shows the perspective with theatre style seating complete with audience…

One looks similar to a garage rehearsal set…

And another looks like a hotel room after party, complete with broken lamps, bottles of champagne, clothes strewn everywhere and even empty pizza boxes. It also looks like the aftermath of a New Year’s Eve party too, round of applause to Selfridge’s.

From thinking I would hate a non traditional Christmas window I absolutely loved it. It’s presented so amazingly, and despite being full of products they’re just perfect for the theme, blend right in and the similarities to the festive season shine through when you spend some time to take it all in.

As you pass each one you start to spot a thing or two that you like, depending on your taste. These incredible metallic silver Louboutins caught my eye, as well as a sequin dress or two, a leopard print coat and a leather jacket. There’s something for everyone hidden in there somwhere.

It completely enticed me in and I found myself pushing on the plectrum shaped door handles and going inside to see more.

The theme continues everywhere inside, with the huge escalator and stairwell centre showcasing different displays, rock n roll quotes and a LOT of glitter balls swirling light reflections across the entire space.

Santa can be found in a number of spots throughout the huge luxury department store too, like here stood on this amazing gold piano…

Or here in front of a light bulb star with his guitar.

Even the jewellery department had some extra touches to fit in with the theme, like these small displays that look like a row of awards in trophy cabinets.

Each department and brand were carefully displayed so the sequin and leather pieces were center stage, and lined all the walkways, and I could have spent hours browsing through them all.

Now I’m not about to turn all fashion blogger on you, that just isn’t me. But despite the fact that I never write about this topic doesn’t mean I don’t have an interest in it.

I absolutely love it in fact, especially the experience of luxury shopping and carefully selecting maybe one thing a year that just blows the budget, but that I save up for, look up on the internet every day, and dream of until I can go somewhere and get it.

To me luxury shopping shouldn’t be done online. It’s the experience of visiting the store, handing over your hard earned cash and the sheer excitement of a brand new amazing bag, or pair of shoes being wrapped up and handed to you as you’re escorted out the door. I have craved that feeling every single time I’ve splashed out on something amazing since I was 18 years old.

I almost feel like I should be apologetic about this, but the truth is I’m really not sorry. I work hard and save up usually for months for the material items I want, and I use/wear every single purchase I’ve ever bought to the death. To me they’re worth every penny and for one off treats I think that’s allowed.

Usually I prefer to visit the brand shops themselves over department stores, but Selfridges totally blew me away with their entire effort for Christmas. I came away with a head full of things I now want, and lots of inspiration for my Christmas wardrobe before all the nights out and cocktails start. Now I just need to narrow it down to what luxury item I’ll go for this year…

No Comments

About Me

Stephanie Fox: Newcastle & Travel is a lifestyle and travel blog, featuring everything I love about my home city, and all my travel experiences. I try to travel to as many places as possible, mixing up long haul trips with European breaks and UK weekend getaways.
Read More...